© CSCOPE 2009 Introduction to Cultural Geography Also known as Human Geography

© CSCOPE 2009 Physical v. Cultural Geography Physical GeographyCultural Geography Rocks/MineralsPopulation/Settlements/Urbanization LandformsEconomic and Political Systems Animal and Plant LifeTransportation SoilsHuman Migration Atmosphere/Climate/WeatherSocial Systems EnvironmentRecreation Rivers/Oceans/Other bodies of WaterReligion/Belief System Cultural Geography is the study of the Earth’s human landscape.

© CSCOPE 2009 Definition: Shared patterns of learned behavior that are passed on from generation to generation. Components: Beliefs, Values, Customs Languages, Ethnicity, Religion Institutions (Economic, Political, Educational) Art, Music, and Technology CULTURE

© CSCOPE 2009 A field that studies spatial aspects of human cultures. Major components focus on:  Cultural Landscapes  Culture Hearths  Cultural Diffusion  Culture Regions CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY

© CSCOPE 2009 Cultural Landscape The composite of human imprints on the earth’s surface. Carl Sauer’s definition: “ the forms superimposed on the physical landscape by the activities of man” “ from Recent Developments in Cultural Geography, 1927

© CSCOPE 2009 Culture Hearth The source areas from which radiated ideas, innovations, and ideologies that change the world beyond. What are some examples?

© CSCOPE 2009 Cultural Diffusion The spreading of a culture element (ex: technological innovation) Can you think of any examples of cultural diffusion, past or present? Culture Region Distinct, culturally discrete spatial unit; a region where certain cultural norms prevail.

© CSCOPE 2009 Ethnicity What is ethnicity? Common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background An Example of Ethnic and Religious Conflict: The Balkans: Ethnic war between the Croatian Catholics, the Bosnian Muslims, and the Serbian Orthodox.

© CSCOPE 2009 Conclusion Think about your own culture: your belief system, institutions that you are part of, technology you use everyday. Cultures change over time, but the historical aspects are very important for understanding today’s cultures. Culture must be examined from different perspectives. Know the terms cultural landscape, cultural hearth, cultural diffusion, and culture region- these terms describe the ways in which cultural geographers view the world.